Community Tasting Note

bdg55 wrote:

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - 2005 SOUTHERN ÉMIGRÉ SHIRAZ VIOGNIER
Alcohol: 14.5%, Closure: Screw cap
Blend Shiraz 95% Viognier 5%
The warm dry 2005 vintage produced fully ripe and concentrated Shiraz grapes, with the oldest vineyards on our Strathmore vineyard producing the most intensely flavoured grapes. These ripe grapes from 20 year old vines were destemmed and crushed to 5 tonne open fermenters along with lightly pressed Viognier skins fresh from the press. After four days of pre-fermentation cold maceration, yeast was added and the co-fermentation of Shiraz and Viognier began. The fermenting wine emitted a complex array of perfumed fruit aromas over the seven day fermentation period as the characters of both varieties were extracted from the grape skins at high fermentation temperatures. Following the completion of alcoholic fermentation the wine was macerated for an additional 15 days before being pressed to new tight grain French oak barrels. Aged for a total of 18 months in oak the wine developed further layers of complexity during maturation as the tannins softened and fruit flavours entwined. Final barrel selection and blending ensured balance, complexity and subtle tannin structure before the wine was bottled with minimal filtration.
The 2005 Southern Émigré Shiraz Viognier captures the fragrance of the perfumed Viognier aromas displayed with white pepper spice, ripe red plum and blackberry fruit flavours. The full bodied palate demonstrates the impact that the addition of Viognier skins has on the tannin structure of a wine, the silky smooth finish adds a degree of accessibility during the wines youth without detracting from the long term cellaring potential of the blend. Enjoy now with rich red meat and game dishes or cellar for further integration and softening of the Viognier characters as the Shiraz characters become more evident along with increased complexity.

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